The Atlanta Falcons needed an answer at right tackle after Kaleb McGary retired, and Jawaan Taylor is giving them reasons to feel good about the move.
Through the first five games of the 2026 season, Taylor has emerged as one of the NFL’s better pass protectors as according to ESPN research, he ranks fifth among offensive tackles with a 92% pass block win rate. The only tackles in the NFL with higher marks are Kolton Miller (LV), Tristan Wirfs (TB), the recently-retired Lane Johnson (PHI), and Jermaine Eluemunor (NYG).
Taylor has dealt with plenty of criticism during his time in Kansas City, including persistent penalty problems. His early performance in Atlanta gives the Falcons a reason to believe he can provide the dependable protection they needed when they signed him in April.
After McGary announced his retirement, the Falcons were suddenly looking for a replacement at a critical position, and Taylor brought considerable experience to the job, having made 111 starts across his first seven NFL seasons.
The early returns have been encouraging. But while five games provide a useful early snapshot, they are not enough to establish that Taylor has completely turned his career around. For now, his pass-blocking performance is the clearest reason for optimism.
The Falcons are seeing a different side of Jawaan Taylor than the Chiefs
Jawaan Taylor’s production is especially encouraging given the issues that followed him during his final seasons with the Chiefs as penalties became a recurring problem in Kansas City - Taylor was flagged 16 times in 2023 and 14 times in 2024.
Now the Atlanta Falcons did not need Taylor to become a perfect offensive lineman overnight. The Falcons needed a veteran who could step into the starting lineup and help replace McGary without creating another major question mark up front.
And it's interesting, because entering season he was considered the weak link on the offensive line and he was the tackle Falcons fans were most worried about, but we had it all wrong. Taylor has been great protecting Michael Penix Jr., while Jake Matthews was who we needed to be concerned about.
So far, Taylor has made a positive case for himself. His pass-blocking numbers suggest he has handled one of the most important parts of the job, and his experience has given Atlanta a reliable option at a position that became a priority after McGary’s retirement.
The next step is sustaining that performance. Opponents will continue testing Taylor, and the Falcons will need him to limit mistakes while improving his work in the run game. If he can maintain his current level of pass protection and become more consistent across the board, his signing could prove to be an important piece of Atlanta’s offensive line plans and possibly receive a longer-term contract.
For a player whose recent seasons in Kansas City brought plenty of frustration, Taylor has given Falcons fans something tangible to get excited about. His 92% pass block win rate is an encouraging sign, and the challenge now is to keep producing at that level for the rest of the season.
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